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Herbs & Cultures

From Ayurveda to Rongoā Māori

Herbal knowledge and the cultures that passed it on

Communities around the world learned how plants nourish, care and heal. Here their traditions stand beside present-day use, with respect for every culture.

All 980 herbs from 43 traditions

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128 results

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Recipes
Herbal honey for sore throat and cough
Chinese formulas
Zhi bai di huang wanXiao yao sanHuang lian jie du tangDang gui long hui wanQing zao jiu fei tangLiang ge sanXiang sheng po di wanYi guan jianYin qiao sanXie bai sanMai men dong tangBan xia hou po tangLiu wei di huang wanSuan zao ren tang
Treatment by condition
Flu and pneumoniaSore throat and hoarseness
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 877

    Tara

    Tara spinosa (syn. Caesalpinia spinosa)

    A thorny tree with red pods that are very rich in tannins. In laboratory tests, extracts of the pods inhibited several bacteria.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 691

    Tonkin sophora root (shan dou gen)

    Sophora tonkinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools fire in the upper body in a swollen, painful throat and gums.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 497

    Cluster fig

    Ficus racemosa

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, carminative, stomachic, kills worms, lowers blood sugar; wound rinse, for dysentery, bile complaints, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, heavy menstruation, coughing up blood, sore throat, diabetes.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    South America · Herb · № 1013

    Turpay

    Nototriche (o.a. N. mandoniana en N. porphyrantha)

    A small, cushion-forming mallow that grows flat against the ground, with a thick taproot. Mallows contain soothing mucilage; these species themselves have hardly been studied.

    Kallawaya healing knowledge
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 489

    Vidanga

    Embelia ribes

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, stimulating, cleansing; against intestinal worms, ringworm and skin diseases, headache, sore throat and mouth ulcers, bark paste for pneumonia.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 446

    Flame of the forest

    Butea monosperma

    Traditionally attributed effects: leaves astringent, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac; seeds expel worms and laxative; flowers tonic; for diarrhoea, heartburn, diabetes (lowers blood sugar), flatulence, haemorrhoids, worms, leucorrhoea, inflamed throat.

    Ayurveda
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 169

    Wax myrtle (bayberry)

    Morella cerifera

    The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.

    Eclectic medicine+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 682

    Woad (ban lan gen)

    Isatis tinctoria (syn. I. indigotica)

    Traditionally attributed effects: root (ban lan gen) and leaf (da qing ye) cool heat and 'toxin' in viral infections, sore throat and mumps.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 969

    Western hemlock

    Tsuga heterophylla

    A large conifer with a drooping top and short, flat needles. The bark is very rich in tannins; the young needles contain vitamin C.

    Kwakwaka'wakw medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 986

    Yellowroot

    Xanthorhiza simplicissima

    A low shrub of the buttercup family, one of the few woody species in that family. Root and stem are bright yellow from berberine, a bitter substance also found in goldenseal and barberry that inhibits bacteria and fungi.

    Cherokee medicine
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Food · № 818

    Annatto (achiote)

    Bixa orellana

    The red seeds are used as a colouring and spice; traditionally also as a remedy.

    Maya healing knowledge+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 523

    Corn mint

    Mentha arvensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, carminative, stimulating, antispasmodic, promotes menstruation, antiseptic, stomachic, cooling, diuretic; leaf juice for diarrhoea and dysentery, tea for rheumatism and indigestion.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 158

    American skullcap

    Scutellaria lateriflora (en S. baicalensis)

    Used in Western herbalism for nervousness, tension and sleep problems. A few small studies suggest a mild calming effect.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 310

    Balloon flower

    Platycodon grandiflorus

    Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, antifungal, antibacterial, lowers blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 573

    Balsam fir

    Abies balsamea

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, antiseptic, pain-relieving; for respiratory infections, cough and sore throat, cystitis and enteritis, aid to quitting smoking; externally for burns, wounds, haemorrhoids, muscle pain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 67

    Borage

    Borago officinalis

    The seed oil, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, has been studied for eczema and joint inflammation with mixed results. The leaf was traditionally used to reduce fever and as a tonic.

    Western herbal medicine+2
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 814

    Bitter kola

    Garcinia kola

    A bitter seed that is chewed and offered as a sign of hospitality and at ceremonies; as a folk remedy also for coughs and sore throats.

    Local African healing traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 372

    Bloodroot

    Sanguinaria canadensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, emetic, expectorant, restorative; part of escharotic treatment for cervical dysplasia, warms lungs/stomach/uterus, promotes coughing up.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 151

    Boneset

    Eupatorium perfoliatum

    Traditionally used for fever and flu with aching muscles; the name refers to 'break-bone fever'. There is hardly any modern clinical research.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 631

    Brewer's angelica

    Angelica breweri, A. arguta, A. hendersonii

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind, dampness and cold in stiff, painful joints, opens the surface in wind-cold and moves qi and blood in pain.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 630

    California figwort

    Scrophularia californica, S. lanceolata

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat in the blood and nourishes yin, drains damp heat and disperses swellings.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 978

    California bay laurel

    Umbellularia californica

    An evergreen tree of the laurel family with strongly scented leaves. The leaf contains umbellulone, which causes headache when inhaled and is poisonous in large amounts.

    Hupa medicine
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 582

    Canadian goldenrod

    Solidago canadensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing; heals the bladder wall (incontinence, irritation), for allergies and stuck mucus after a cold, eyewash for hay fever.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 396

    Catechu

    Acacia catechu

    Traditionally attributed effects: strongly astringent; for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, bleeding haemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea; bleeding or inflamed gums, mouth ulcers, enlarged tonsils; bedsores; promotes milk flow.

    Ayurveda+2
  • Caution

    Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 161

    Cayenne pepper

    Capsicum frutescens

    Capsaicin from chilli peppers is used externally for nerve pain and joint pain; high-dose capsaicin patches are an approved medicine. Internally it is mainly a warming spice.

    Maya healing knowledge+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 684

    Chinese violet (zi hua di ding)

    Viola yedoensis (syn. V. philippica)

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools heat and 'toxin' in abscesses, boils, sore throat and inflamed eyes.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 642

    Chinese asparagus root (tian men dong)

    Asparagus cochinchinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: moistening; for recovery after illness or surgery, chronically dry skin and for the production of sex hormones.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 714

    Chinese clematis root (wei ling xian)

    Clematis chinensis

    Traditionally attributed effects: expels wind and dampness and moves the qi in pain anywhere in the body.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 679

    Chinese gentian (long dan cao)

    Gentiana scabra

    Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat and fire from liver and gallbladder.

    Chinese medical traditions+1
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 124

    Chrysanthemum (ju hua)

    Chrysanthemum × morifolium

    The flowers (ju hua) are used in Chinese medicine as a 'cooling' remedy for colds with fever, headaches and tired, red eyes. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 474

    Purging croton

    Croton tiglium

    Traditionally attributed effects: drastically laxative, irritant, skin-irritant; for stroke, insanity, convulsions, stubborn constipation, worms, ascites, oedema, colic, gout; wood in small doses induces sweating.

    Ayurveda+1
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 56

    Yarrow

    Achillea millefolium

    Traditionally used to stop bleeding from minor wounds, for fevers and colds, and as a digestive bitter. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Greco-Roman medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 14

    Echinacea

    Echinacea purpurea

    Studied for colds and respiratory infections. It may slightly reduce the chance of catching a cold; effects on duration and other conditions are uncertain.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 675

    Swallow-wort root (bai wei)

    Cynanchum atratum

    Traditionally attributed effects: cools the blood in fever from deficiency, including after childbirth, and in painful urination.

    Chinese medical traditions
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 118

    Fenugreek

    Trigonella foenum-graecum

    The seed has been studied for blood sugar and for increasing breast milk. NCCIH reports there is not enough strong evidence for these uses.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+5Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore
Image of Salvia divinorum

Featured · Central America and the Caribbean · Curanderismo

Salvia divinorum

Salvia divinorum

A sage with large leaves containing salvinorin A, a very potent substance acting on the kappa opioid receptor. Brings short-lived, often intense changes in perception and the feeling of leaving the body.

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